Ang See decries Senate focus on Guo; Hontiveros defends probe

Civic leader Teresita Ang See has denounced the Senate’s move to focus on Bamban Mayor Alice Guo’s identity during its probe on the Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in the town.

“This kind of witch hunt and personal attacks are way below decency and reflects badly on the dignity of the Senate,” Ang See, co-founder of Tsinoy advocacy group Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran, said in a statement.

“Senate should focus on the issues that aid legislation. The irritable tear-jerker zarzuela serves only to detract from the problems,” she added.

During a Senate hearing last week, Senator Loren Legarda was seen to have lost her patience over Guo’s repetitive answer about her childhood.

In a separate statement, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Guo’s identity was revealed after there were pieces of evidence pointing to the mayor's involvement in the POGO hub.

“This is not an attack on Filipinos of Chinese heritage,” Hontiveros said in a statement. “This is about national security.”

Citing findings in the Senate hearings, Hontiveros said Chinese POGO syndicates obtained fake Filipino identification documents through individuals working in government agencies.

Hontiveros warned that Guo is a public servant and that the POGO hub in her town allegedly was engaged in hacking and surveillance activities.

Guo earlier provided personal details about herself to refute allegations that she might be a spy. Among the details she divulged was that she is a love child and was raised and kept hidden inside a farm after her biological mother left her.

Headed by Hontiveros, the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality will conduct an executive session with representatives from the executive department and intelligence agencies to further probe Guo’s role in the Bamban POGO hub.—RF, GMA Integrated News